20 June, North Shore Golf Club
Women in Business, sponsored by Phone Plus Group
Being told that she was losing her sight didn’t fit into Julie Woods‘ “rip, sh*t, and bust” pace of life. She admits that in March 1997, with two boys aged three and one, she felt powerless and overwhelmed.
Life seemed so uncertain. One thing she did know, however, was that she didn’t want to be pitied.
Speaking with others from the blind and low-vision community, she realised that attitude and vision loss go hand in hand. You can do more, even if you see less. With this in mind, she chose “Why not?” as her mantra and “take action” as her value. Whenever someone asked her to do something, instead of saying no out of fear and ignorance, she would say, “Why not?”
This has led to some extraordinary opportunities, from refereeing nude touch rugby (yes, really!) to visiting amazing places across the globe, including the New Seven Wonders of the World.
People ask Julie how she can sightsee when she can’t see the sights. Simple. She keeps a sensory diary detailing the smells, sounds, and sensations of every destination. (For example, the Great Wall of China smells of jasmine tea, and the Pyramid of Giza feels like sitting on two-tonne Lego bricks!)
Celebrating the Eiffel Tower’s 200th birthday, she put some sighted tourists to shame by taking the stairs up. As she wisely remarked, “How does a blind woman get a sense of wonder by taking the lift?!”
Julie also fell in love with Braille and the story behind its creation. This has inspired her to write one million names in Braille. She and her team have currently sent more than 33,160 names around the world – plus the hundred or so from today’s event!
In the words of Helen Keller:
Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, … Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
It was clear that Julie’s brave positivity and experiences prompted her audience to pause and reflect on the everyday tasks and interactions that many take for granted.
During a short Q+A, Julie shared some straightforward but invaluable advice about how organisations can be more accessible. For her, a printed receipt is not helpful – but an emailed receipt is great. “Take away the print; take away the disability.” She has also advocated for medical labels to be written in Braille (not least, so it’s easier to tell what part of the body an ointment is for!”
Likewise, for wheelchair users: remove the stairs; remove the disability.
She encouraged business owners to talk to customers who may have accessibility issues and ask them about the barriers. “What are your access needs?”
Guests then picked up their specially prepared Braille cards and found the person whose name they were carrying.
This uplifting and joyous session finished with a presentation of Edible Blooms bouquets to Julie and three lucky spot prize winners.
